Quote:
Originally Posted by C3H8
why wouldn't a narrower wheel decrease rolling resistance? a narrower wheel should squeeze the tyre to be a bit narrower as well, which would slightly reduce the width of the contact patch.
going to narrower tyres and wheels works beautifully to reduce rolling resistance on bicycles, motorcycles, atv's, wheelbarrow's, etc... all of which I have personal experience with.
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I would imagine it has to do with the deformation of the tire. As you narrow the contact patch it must expand due to the increased load per sq/area. This means it has to grow longer. Longer means the tire itself is going to need to deform more while rotating.